Dementia Friends
Some of our children in Years 5 and 6 have volunteered to become a Dementia Friend, in association with Sedgley Court Care Home. The role of a Dementia Friend involves learning more about dementia, putting yourself in the shoes of someone living with the condition and turning your understanding into action. Our Dementia Friends have received comprehensive training from the care home on what it is like to live with dementia and how they can help. They will be visiting the residents throughout the year, supporting them in various activities. They will then design activities for the residents to do when they visit our school.
We are incredibly privileged as a school to be part of this initiative and proud to be helping our local community. We will update you regularly on our progress as we embark on this worthwhile journey.
Here are our wonderful Dementia Friends:
On Tuesday 20th January 2026 our wonderful Dementia Friends were invited to Sedgley Community Centre to attend the Dementia Cafe.
Dementia Cafe is a monthly support group for people diagnosed with dementia and those who help to care for them. A mixture of information, stimulating activities and the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation is provided.
In preparation for our visit, the children made some chat books, all about themselves, to share. These proved to be excellent conversation starters and helped everyone to relax, chat and get to know each other. We also played games and completed some jigsaws!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and look forward to the next one in the near future!
On Thursday 20th November, one of our Grandparents kindly provided our Dementia Friends with up-to-date training. We are looking forward to visiting Sedgley Dementia Cafe where we can put our training to use.
Cotwall End Dementia Friends were invited to take part in Sedgley Court Care Home's Picnic Day to support 'The Big Lunch' project on Wednesday 18th June.
Whilst enjoying delicious picnic food, the children and residents took part in threading beads and decorating wooden tree decorations.
On Tuesday 12th November our wonderful Dementia Friends walked to Sedgley Court Care Home to spend some time with the residents.
They had a wonderful afternoon of playing skittles (children against residents!) The children only just managed to win. The residents have asked for a rematch.
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On Friday 5th July, our Dementia Friends visited Sedgley Court Care Home to spend time with some of their residents. Whist we were there, we helped to plant some Petunias in pots for them to enjoy on their outdoor tables. As usual, our children demonstrated our core values of kindness, Bravery, Self Belief and Happiness. Once again, they brought smiles to the faces of the residents that took part in the activity.
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Throughout December 6 children from Year 6 hand-made 155 gonks to sell at Cotwall End's Christmas Fair, which were all sold. They managed to raise an amazing amount, this was then matched by a member of the HSA bringing the total to £200!
The funds raised were used to purchase sensory gifts for 3 different care homes within our local community.
On Wednesday 6th March, as part of our Dementia friends programme, we invited some of the residents from Sedgley Court Care Home into School for an afternoon of cakes, singing and playing instruments. Some of the residents even had a wonderful time dancing!
Mrs Gullick entertained everyone with some beautiful flute playing, it truly was very moving for both staff and residents.
What a fabulous afternoon!
Sing a long afternoon
